Baltimore @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( May 23, 2013 ) Baltimore 6, Toronto 12

The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays have both struggled with patchwork starting rotations so far in 2013. A day after Baltimore's Kevin Gausman was pressed into his first major-league start, Toronto's Sean Nolin finds himself in the same situation as the Blue Jays resume their nine-game homestand on Friday. Gausman, the fourth overall pick in the 2012 draft, cruised early but struggled the second time through the order as Toronto went on to earn a 12-6 victory.

Edwin Encarnacion and J.P. Arencibia led the Toronto attack with four RBIs apiece, and Nolin can only hope the offense provides him with a similar cushion. A sixth-round pick in 2010, Nolin was sensational in three starts at Double-A New Hampshire. He'll likely have his hands full with a Baltimore lineup that includes Chris Davis, who leads the majors with 15 home runs, and Manny Machado, who has swatted a league-best 21 doubles - including three in Thursday's opener.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network 2 (Baltimore), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Chris Tillman (3-2, 3.52 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Sean Nolin (NR)

Tillman's record doesn't represent how well he has pitched. The 25-year-old has put together six consecutive quality starts, but is winless in his last two turns after receiving a combined three runs of support. Tillman has fared well against the Blue Jays in his career, posting a 1-2 record with a 3.89 ERA in six starts. He settled for a no-decision in the last encounter April 22 despite limiting Toronto to a run on four hits over 6 1/3 impressive innings.

Nolin is not considered one of Toronto's top pitching prospects, but he may be the most major league-ready of the bunch. The San Jacinto College product was 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings with New Hampshire. Nolin has been successful at every level of minor-league ball, compiling a 16-6 mark and a 2.92 ERA in 55 appearances (49 starts). "He's in a nice groove (and) we need somebody," Jays manager John Gibbons said Thursday.

WALK-OFFS

1. Machado is on pace to challenge the league record of 67 doubles set by Earl Webb in 1931. No player has had 60 doubles in a season since 1936.

2. Toronto batters are hitting just .214 against Tillman, but have belted eight home runs in 37 innings.

3. Davis has 13 home runs in 151 career at-bats against the Blue Jays.

PREDICTION: Orioles 7, Blue Jays 4